Rheumatoid arthritis is swelling of joints.
It is an autoimmune disease, which means the patient body forms antibodies against its own organs and starts attacking healthy cells. It causes severe pain and swelling of the joints. It’s a lifetime disease
We have combined a few conditions that you should not overlook and must consult a rheumatologist instantly.
It is a Multi-System disease
RA affects joints and other body parts; it may affect both sides of the body, most commonly hands, wrists, knees and elbows.
Signs and Symptoms
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms vary from mild to severe, depending on the patient’s health.
RA involves the joints and affects organs like the eyes, skin, lungs, heart, kidneys, nerve tissues, and blood vessels. Symptoms can be minimized through treatment
- Severe pain in joints.
- Get tired easily
- Morning Stiffness of Joints
- Redness
- Mouth dryness
- Skin dryness
- Red spots on different parts of the body
- Headache
- Reduced range of motion
- Weight loss
- Mild Fever.
- Loss of appetite
People with rheumatoid arthritis are at a higher risk of having Heart or Lung disease. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause emotions of fear, anger and frustration, depression, Stress, and Anxiety.
Causes and Risk Factors of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Causes are not fully understood, but it’s an autoimmune disorder, so that the following factors can trigger the risk of rheumatoid arthritis disease.
- Being overweight may lead to rheumatoid arthritis.
- It can happen at any age but commonly occurs after 60 years.
- 75% of rheumatoid arthritis patients are Women.
- Genetics: People with a family history of rheumatoid arthritis are more prone to this disease.
- Smoking worsens the symptoms
- Environmental exposure and Excessive use of alcohol can also lead to rheumatoid arthritis
- Women who have breastfed their newborns have a low risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
The major cause of rheumatoid arthritis is joint inflammation; tissue gets thin and destroys the cartilage and bone within the joint.
Another cause is that the ligaments that hold the joint together get stretched and weakened.
Can Rheumatoid arthritis be completely cured?
Unfortunately no, it cannot be completely cured, but symptoms like pain and stiffness can be controlled effectively and it can slow down the further degeneration of joints.
Dietary Changes
- Avoid food high in sugar
- Have diet with low fats and salt
- Include fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs in diet.
- Include fiber and whole grains in your diet.
- Limit the consumption of eggs and meat.
- Include essential fatty acids rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 in your diet.
- Keep a watch on food and eliminate it from your diet that triggers pain and inflammation.
How Common RA is?
Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common inflammatory disorder.
- 3 million adults in the United States are living with RA.
- 31,000 new cases are diagnosed yearly, meaning more than three people/hour, and it commonly develops between ages 39 to 60.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis can be challenging to diagnose because many conditions cause joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
General physician will do a physical examination. The movement of joints, swelling of joints. The general physician will ask about symptoms, and on its bases, some tests will be done, including
- ESR
- CRP
- RAF
Treatment Options
- Medications that reduce inflammation.
- Painkillers
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Physical therapy.
- Fingers, Hand, or Wrist surgery
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Meet Dr. Qaisar Usmani, a Board Certified Rheumatologist with over 20 years of experience in the field, currently serving as Section Chief at Monmouth Medical Center and GPHA, Inc. in Pennsylvania, specializing in the treatment of various Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal diseases.
Meet Dr. Sadia Ghafoor, a board certified specialist in rheumatology who completed her medical training at the University of Medicine and Dentistry School of Osteopathic Medicine and her fellowship in rheumatology at the State University of New York Stony Brook campus, with additional board certification in internal medicine.
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